Lots of Ultegra Di2 questions

daniel_b

Afternoon all,

so somehow, unintentionally I have ended up with a Di2 bike :shock:

I am hoping to tap into the collectives general knowledge on it, as there is no manual with the bike, and I dare say I could google it, but hey, you guys are a fountain of knowledge, so I thought I would ask here first.

If this proves to be a good resource, I will rename it to 'The BIG Di2 questions thread'

Ok, first question - the junction box (?) that sits under the stem had two spare ports - these I plugged both of the plugs hanging off the shifters, and that seems to work.
It had a rubber, but not very stretchy strap around it, with little room for manoeuvre.
I fitted a slightly shorter stem, as is my preference, but the girth (oooh matron) was too much for it, and it's not even a remote possibility it would fit - does anyone know what this strap is called, and or the best place to get them from?
Or do I need to look at an aftermarket holder, such as this raceware direct one?
http://www.racewaredirect.co/shop/di2-junction-box-holder-nylon/

I have spotted the remote gear change thingamy, and quite fancy it:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-ultegra-di2-r600-climbing-shifter-switch/rp-prod85146


From a small amount of reading, it would seem that is a complete unit, and would plug into one of the shifters, so I think that is fairly straight forward.

Next, I heard about this little device, that sends gear info to your Garmin:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-sm-eww01-d-fly-wireless-ant-di2-unit/rp-prod148978


But it appears that it needs one of these cables:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-sd50-di2-electric-wire/rp-prod85149


I see it can sit on the rear stay, but other people are saying it can go into the seattube, which confuses me, as I know the battery is there, but I would need to decide where it goes before I choose cable length, and I think it needs to plug into the rear derailleur, or can it go into a junctio nbox somewhere - are there any others hidden aroud the bike?
And whilst we are on junction boxes, why would you need a 5 port junction box....?

And finally, I think, for the minute, I understand you need to update the firmware on these periodically.
I gather you can pay a shop to do it, but I spotted this little box - is this what is needed to do the do?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-di2-pce1-pc-interface-device/rp-prod85151


I realise it's a chunk of cash, but I like to be self sufficient.

Cheers

Dan

Elfed

You don't need that box to update the firmware, just download http://e-tubeproject.shimano.com/ and do it from your laptop.
The box will do diagnostics though, which etube won't.

daniel_b

Elfed wrote:

You don't need that box to update the firmware, just download http://e-tubeproject.shimano.com/ and do it from your laptop.
The box will do diagnostics though, which etube won't.

Ah nice one, thankyou very much, money saved!

I have messaged raceware direct (Local to me too) as they have both a Di2 junction box holder that replaces one of the spacers, and a combined Garmin 1000 mount with a slot underneath for a junction box - that sounds like the neatest solution.
The former comes in Neon yellow, the latter seemingly only in yellow - have mailed for clarification.

Asked to see examples of those two colours + green to see what will go best.

geoffh73

[quote="Daniel B

Next, I heard about this little device, that sends gear info to your Garmin:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-sm-eww01-d-fly-wireless-ant-di2-unit/rp-prod148978


But it appears that it needs one of these cables:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-sd50-di2-electric-wire/rp-prod85149


I see it can sit on the rear stay, but other people are saying it can go into the seattube, which confuses me, as I know the battery is there, but I would need to decide where it goes before I choose cable length, and I think it needs to plug into the rear derailleur, or can it go into a junctio nbox somewhere - are there any others hidden aroud the bike?
And whilst we are on junction boxes, why would you need a 5 port junction box....?


Cheers

Dan[/quote]

It will work connected to the battery, no need to connect it to the rear mech.
Disconnect the cable that connects the battery and insert it into the D-Fly unit, then connect the D-Fly to the battery. You should only need the short cable.

Geoff

jon33

geoffh73 wrote:

[quote="Daniel B

Next, I heard about this little device, that sends gear info to your Garmin:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-sm-eww01-d-fly-wireless-ant-di2-unit/rp-prod148978


But it appears that it needs one of these cables:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-sd50-di2-electric-wire/rp-prod85149


I see it can sit on the rear stay, but other people are saying it can go into the seattube, which confuses me, as I know the battery is there, but I would need to decide where it goes before I choose cable length, and I think it needs to plug into the rear derailleur, or can it go into a junctio nbox somewhere - are there any others hidden aroud the bike?
And whilst we are on junction boxes, why would you need a 5 port junction box....?


Cheers

Dan

It will work connected to the battery, no need to connect it to the rear mech.
Disconnect the cable that connects the battery and insert it into the D-Fly unit, then connect the D-Fly to the battery. You should only need the short cable.

Geoff[/quote]

Can that D-Fly unit be put inside if using an internal battery?

daniel_b

Thakyou Geoff, so it just goes in between the cable and the battery - and i guess just transmits from where ever, so as long as it will fit down the seat tube it should be fine - I guess you just pack it out with something, so you get no rattle, and presumably the shorter the cable the better.

Not got my head around all this electric wiring INSIDE the frame yet, I think it may take me some time.

meanredspider

A few generic points about Di2

1. You can plug anything in anywhere. The component "knows" what it is and will function accordingly provided it is connected to the network.
2. I've never updated the firmware on any of my 3 Di2 bikes - the oldest of which is over 5 years old.
3. That said, adding components that maybe newer than the rest of the set-up MAY require a firmware update to the system so that they're all running on the same firmware version.

Have fun with it. I've found it fantastically reliable, trouble and maintenance-free.

daniel_b

meanredspider wrote:

A few generic points about Di2

1. You can plug anything in anywhere. The component "knows" what it is and will function accordingly provided it is connected to the network.
2. I've never updated the firmware on any of my 3 Di2 bikes - the oldest of which is over 5 years old.
3. That said, adding components that maybe newer than the rest of the set-up MAY require a firmware update to the system so that they're all running on the same firmware version.

Have fun with it. I've found it fantastically reliable, trouble and maintenance-free.

Thanks MRS, I knew you were an advocate!

That makes for a nice explanation, so basically the complex of wires is like a set of ethernet cables, and the ports are all the same, good to know.
And from the example earlier up, it seems you can daisy chain things as well, so as long as a piece of kit has a female and male socket, it can just continue on the circuit whilst getting it's power - do I read that correct?

I ordered a tool for removing or inserting plugs as well, not sure if I needed it, but it was only £2.70.

Looking forward to getting to grips with it, and yes the firmware thing I read about updating, did specifically refer to buying add ons - however I would hope with a new bike it would be up to date already, and might not have any issues with add ons.

effillo

I'm intruiged as to how you ended up 'unintentionally' having a Di2 bike?!?

No manuals, did you pinch it!

daniel_b

effillo wrote:

I'm intruiged as to how you ended up 'unintentionally' having a Di2 bike?!?

No manuals, did you pinch it!

lol, well it was a bit of a steal in the end.

I ordered an Ultegra 6800 bike, but it was damaged, and they had no more stock.
Long story, cut short, we ended up agreeing on a deal for the next model up the range, which happened to be a Di2!

Oh and back on topic, if the Ant unit can just fit 'inline' with the battery, presumably the shorter the lead the better, so I may as well just go for a 250mm?
As otherwise there is more cable to hide, or catch somewhere - am I correct

And just so I have this right in my head:
- Unplug the cable connected to the battery
- Plug this cable into the Ant unit
- Plug one end of the new cable into the other end of the ant unit
- Plug the other end of the cable back into the battery

I think I will order and try and get that bit fitted now, and ask for the remote shifters for Christmas.

bad_ash

If you get the Ant+ (D-Fly) unit then definitely update all the firmware. I didn't, the result was it didn't work and the device I was hoping to show me the battery % ended up draining the battery... which I found out when racking my bike for a triathlon! :-(

daniel_b

Bad Ash wrote:

If you get the Ant+ (D-Fly) unit then definitely update all the firmware. I didn't, the result was it didn't work and the device I was hoping to show me the battery % ended up draining the battery... which I found out when racking my bike for a triathlon! :-(

Thanks BA, I will need to get to grips with that.

I should be able to get hold of the Ant+ unit for £43, which is pretty reasonable, using a combo of price matches and voucher purchases.

So with regards to cable length, if I am to insert it in the frame, am I correct in thinking the shorter the better.....?

The only issue I can foresee is that the bike has a 25.4 seatpost, so the interior of the seat tube will be the same, so it's whether it will fit - but I won't know that until I see it.
Anyone have any inkling?

If it doesn't fit, am I forced to put it on the rear stay and connect it into the rear derailleur?

I did spy a video of someone fitting it inside the top tube, which is one reason I doubt it will fit in the seat tube, but that involved removing the forks etc, so you can insert it - not the end of the world of course.

And sorry to be superdim here, but I expected the unit to have a socket at either end, but it looks like both cables are one end, so the 'network' plugs into one, and then my cable of a length yet to be decided, plugs into the battery?
Presumably, if it is going on the chainstay, only one cable will connect it to the rear derailleur, or do you unplug the power lead from the derailleur, plug it into this, and then my new cable goes from this to the derailleur?

Sorry for the stupid questions, dare say it will become clearer when I start playing with it.

bad_ash

Daniel B wrote:

or do you unplug the power lead from the derailleur, plug it into this, and then my new cable goes from this to the derailleur?

Yes, this. The D-Fly has 2 female connections, so can be daisy chained with any existing connection in your setup. Yu will need to buy one (generally very short) cable.

stueys

DI2 is great, you won't be disappointed. I would question why you want the d-fly though, it basically tells you battery level (the junction box tells you 25% increments - I've charged my DI2 three times in 12 months, and I'm charging when it hits 50% charge level) and which gear you're in (look down ;-) ).

I have got the sprint shifters mounted as climbing switches on the tops. Thats well worth doing, google sprint shifter hack

daniel_b

Stueys wrote:

DI2 is great, you won't be disappointed. I would question why you want the d-fly though, it basically tells you battery level (the junction box tells you 25% increments - I've charged my DI2 three times in 12 months, and I'm charging when it hits 50% charge level) and which gear you're in (look down ;-) ).

I have got the sprint shifters mounted as climbing switches on the tops. Thats well worth doing, google sprint shifter hack

You are almost certainly right re the d-fly, but i've ordered it now, and it's another gadget!
Sprint shifter hack sounds intriguing, and maybe more camouflaged, will deffo check that out later - thanks!

scottishgeek

Most of the major ride logging sites do not read data from the D-fly at the moment however https://di2stats.com is a good site for reviewing the data your Garmin collects from it with regard to gear changes.